By Connie Thiessen
Corus Entertainment has made changes to its Original Programming team that have impacted what the company says is a “handful of roles.”
“As part of managing the post-pandemic climate and unexpected current economic uncertainty, we are conducting an enterprise-wide cost review, looking at all expenses and operations with a view to streamline our operating model,” a Corus spokesperson told Broadcast Dialogue. “This has led us to create a new Original Programming team structure, impacting a handful of roles as we collapse verticals and move to a one-team model. We believe this new structure will give the team more experience across more genres, to make great shows and drive success for our channels as we remain focused on the execution of our strategic plan and investments that support our long-term resiliency.”
The company announced a total of 25 new and returning original series at its upfront presentation earlier this month from Corus Studios and its kids and family entertainment and animation studio, Nelvana. The studios, respectively, sell original programming to more than 150 countries around the globe.
Among those caught up in the layoffs is Kathleen Meek, manager of original content, drama and factual, responsible for original scripted and factual series for Global, History Canada, Showcase and W Network. Meek had been with Corus since 2018 after holding similar roles with Bell Media and Astral Media.
This story first appeared in Broadcast Dialogue and is reprinted with permission.
